Page 98 of The Love Shack

Didn’t bother Lark. “Oliver has already proven his interest most thoroughly.”

Grinning, Berkley said, “Let’s step outside, where we can talk.”

They signaled to the guys to let them know where they’d be, then walked out together. The sun blazed overhead, and all around them vacationers moved from one shop to the next, many of them in swimsuits and flip-flops.

“I love the relaxed atmosphere here.” Stretching her arms overhead, Lark smiled. “Before Cemetery, I had never styled hair on a woman in a bikini.”

Berkley laughed. “Have you gotten used to that now?”

“Yes, and I think it’s awesome. Imagine visiting a place that made you so comfortable—and we live here.”

“It’s definitely special.”

“Oliver stayed the night.” She hadn’t exactly meant to blurt that out, but it had been bursting inside her. “Three nights now.”

“I’m guessing from your grin that you’re having the time of your life.”

“I am. Pretty sure I’m already in love with him.” She sighed. “I think it’s the same for him.”

“He looks at you,” Berkley said, “and I see it there in his eyes.”

To ensure they were still alone, Lark glanced around, then spoke in a whisper. “The sex has been amazing. I’d had no idea.”

“Ha! That’s exactly what I thought with Lawson.”

Together, they laughed, but the buzzing of Berkley’s cell phone interrupted. Because Whitley was watching over the shelter, she answered it in a rush, said “Hello” and then drew back with a gasp.

“Berkley?” Concerned, Lark stepped closer, but Berkley ended the call and jammed the phone back into her pocket with enough force to bruise her backside. “Hey. Everything okay?”

Trembling, her brows pinched and her breath coming fast, Berkley whispered, “That was Chad.”

Of all the nerve! “You told him to get lost.”

“I did, but do you know what he said just now? He asked me if I’d calmed down yet.Calmed down.”

She sounded anything but calm. “Delusional jerk. Can you block his number?”

That wiped the anger from Berkley’s face. In a frenzy, she got her phone out again, pulled up the number, then blocked and removed it. “Done. I don’t know why I didn’t think of that before.”

“Because you were already plain and that should have been the end of it.” She rubbed Berkley’s shoulder, feeling the tension vibrating off her. “Do you want a few minutes alone with Lawson?”

“No.” Drawing a deep breath, she got herself together. “I’ll tell him about the call, but not yet. Tonight we’re having fun. I don’t want Chad spoiling the mood.”

Good plan. “Well, he’s blocked now, so even if he tries again, he can’t bother you.” Hoping that was true, Lark pinned on a wide smile. “I’m going to end the day with Oliver again.” Teasing, she added, “How about you?”

“I’m thinking of keeping Lawson over, too.” Sheepish, Berkley admitted, “We haven’t had an overnight yet.”

Lark’s jaw loosened. “Seriously?”

“I know. I kept thinking it’d be awkward because people show up so early at the shelter—”

“And your home is not the shelter.”

Good mood returning, Berkley grinned. “Took me a little time to convince myself of that, but I’ve finally come to the same conclusion.”

Of course, she understood her friend’s hesitation. When Lark thought of sensitive, bighearted Berkley being treated so badly, it broke her heart. “I say go for it.”

Bobbing her eyebrows, she said, “That’s the plan.”

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